DIRCK VOLKERTSE is referred to by various names in official documents such as Dirck Holgerson
Norman, Dirck Volkerson the Norman, and Dirck DeNoorman. He was born about 1595-1600 and arrived
in America between 1625-1630; he died about 1678-1680. He was a carpenter. Dirck married CHRISTINE
VIGNE about 1630-31; she was born about 1612; died 1663; daughter of Guillaume Vigne and Adrienne
Cuvielle/Cuvelier.

There are deeds recorded showing that Dirck owned properties on what is now Wall Street in New York
City. "In 1638 Dirck leased a bouwery and stock from the colony's Governor, Willem Kieft, "on halves."
Dirck's first farm was northeast of the city wall that later became Wall Street. In the same year 1638 the
Indians deeded Brooklyn to the Dutch, and Dirck received a grant of land: 400 acres, with a mile-long
frontage on the East River and had nearly equal frontage on the two tidal streams or kills that bounded his
land, Norman Kill and Mespath Kill. Norman Kill later became Bushwick Creek, and was eventually filled in
and the land used to create McCarren Park and industrial properties. Among the grant recipients, or
patentees, only Dirck and Peter De Swede improved their properties, although they sustained damage in the
Indian uprisings of 1643 and 1655. Dirck began a stone farm house about 1645, along the East River and
facing Norman's Kill where he sheltered his boats. He moved to the property from Manhattan after the
Indian uprising of 1655 had subsided. The house remained occupied for 200 years. In the 1850's the stone
house was demolished, and the knoll believed to contain the family burial plots was leveled to provide sand
for construction in Manhattan."

Dirck is found in court records for various offenses. In 1648 he was accused of stealing a rope which he
claimed he had bought in good faith and was not held accountable. In 1656 Dirck De Noorman was sued by
Jan De Perie, who claimed Dirck attacked him and "chased him from the Strand to the Clapboards." He
wanted payment of surgeon's fees and loss of time. The quarrel began during a dice game
and ended with both drawing their knives. Dirck, by then the city carpenter, was ordered to pay a fine for
wounding De Perie.

From Holland Society publication: In 1638, a Declaration of Maurits Jansen and Pieter de Mey says: "that
the wife of Dirck Holgerson, Noorman, being at the house of Jan Damen (Christina Vigne was step-daughter
of Jan Damen) and said Jan Damen telling her that she must go out of the house, she refused and did not
intend to leave the house, whereupon Jan Damen aforesaid pushed said Dirck Holgerson's wife out of the
house, as she would not depart by fair words. Dirck Holgersen thereupon coming to defend his wife, Jan
Damen, drawing a knife, made a cut at said Dirck Holgersen, who took up a post and struck Jan Damen
with it." Another account states: "First, Jan Damen dunning Dirck Volckertsen for payment of fl.30, Dirck
answered that he did not owe him anything. Jan Damen thereupon replied: 'Begone out of the house!' and
forthwith threw Christine, Dirck's wife, out of doors and struck her. Furthermore, drawing a knife, he cut
and thrust at said wife as appears from the skirt which she then had on. Further, Dirck Holgersen, seeking
to defend his wife, threw a pewter can at Jan Damen, but missed him, whereupon Jan Damen made for him
with a naked knife in his hand, cutting and thrusting at him and, as the said Dirck sought to defend his life,
Dirck took up a post to keep Jan Damen off. As Dirck Holgerts was going toward the fort or elsewhere,
Jan Damen again beat Dirck's wife with his fists and tore the cap off her head and challenged Dirck, saying
'If you have the courage, draw your knife.' But Dirck, being sober, would not do so and only defended
himself with the post.

2. Christine born about 1635; died June 1697; married (1) Jacob Haie by 1653; married (2) 15 Mar 1684
Peter Praa Van Landt; married (3) (unknown).

3. Magdalene born about 1636 Brooklyn NY; died 17 Jan 1725/6 Kingston NY; married 24 Oct 1652 (1) Cornelius Hendrickson Van
Dort also known as Cornelius Caper (referring to his trade as a privateer), who was killed by Indians in
1655; married (2) 1657 Herman (Hendricksen) Rosenkranz born about 1612 Bergen, Norway. They were accused of
selling liquor to the Indians, and she was nicknamed "The Flying Angel." Banished from the colony for a
time, they amassed some property and wealth in the Kingston area, in addition to a reputation for not
respecting authority.

1. Dirck born about 1667; died 2 June 1754 Millstone River Somerset Co. NJ; married 25 Sep 1691 at
Bushwick NY Maria DeWitt born 1671; daughter of Peter DeWitt and Sarah Alberts. They moved to New
Jersey about 1699. He married (2) 1710 Jenneke Schouwten; married (3) Grietje/Geesje Zynieltse. Dirck left will
dated 4 Nov 1752.

2. Neeltje born 1669 Bushwick NY; married 19 Aug 1683 Cornelis Cortelyou born about 1662; died about 1690; son of Jacques Cortelyou
and Neeltje Van Duyn.